Nomophobia and Its Association with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (DASS-21 scale) Among Healthcare Students

Suneethi Gummireddy; Shravya Keerthi Gorantla; Sarala Kunipuri

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Original Research
Online Published: 05 Oct 2026

Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2026; 16(2): 105-112

doi: 10.5455/NJPPP.2026.v16.i2.7

Nomophobia and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21 scale) among health care students

Gummireddy Suneethi, Gorantla Shravya Keerthi, Kunipuri Sarala.

Abstract
Background:
Nomophobia or ‘NO MObile phone PHOBIA’ is a condition in which an individual faces a fear of detachment from their mobile phone. It has become one of the most relevant situations in the student population, especially among healthcare students, as they may be using smartphones not only for social connection but also for learning, communication, and academic coordination.

Aim:
To evaluate the relationship between nomophobia, stress, anxiety, and depression among healthcare students.

Methods:
This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted among students pursuing healthcare studies between the age of 18-25 years. A 20-item nomophobia questionnaire was used to assess nomophobia, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to measure psychological distress. Pearson and Spearman correlations were used to examine the associations, and multivariable linear regression was adjusted for age, sex, and academic group.

Results:
A total of 226 responses were obtained. Of these, 208 met the inclusion criteria. Of the 90.9 % who met the nomophobia criteria, 46.2 % had moderate-to-severe nomophobia. Of the participants, 44.7%, 60.1 %, and 6.7 % had mild, moderate, and severe nomophobia, respectively. Furthermore, the nomophobia score was positively correlated with stress, anxiety, and depression.

Conclusion:
The prevalence and severity of nomophobia were significantly high and positively associated with stress, anxiety, and depression scores. However, as this study was cross-sectional, these observed associations may not be considered causal.

Key words: Anxiety; Depression; Mobile phone addiction; Nomophobia; Stress.

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Pubmed Style

Suneethi G, Keerthi GS, Sarala K. Nomophobia and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21 scale) among health care students. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2026; 16(2): 105-112. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2026.v16.i2.7

Web Style

Suneethi G, Keerthi GS, Sarala K. Nomophobia and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21 scale) among health care students. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=325343 [Access: October 09, 2026]. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2026.v16.i2.7

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Suneethi G, Keerthi GS, Sarala K. Nomophobia and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21 scale) among health care students. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2026; 16(2): 105-112. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2026.v16.i2.7

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Suneethi G, Keerthi GS, Sarala K. Nomophobia and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21 scale) among health care students. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2026), [cited October 09, 2026]; 16(2): 105-112. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2026.v16.i2.7

Harvard Style

Suneethi, G., Keerthi, . G. S. & Sarala, . K. (2026) Nomophobia and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21 scale) among health care students. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 16 (2), 105-112. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2026.v16.i2.7

Turabian Style

Suneethi, Gummireddy, Gorantla Shravya Keerthi, and Kunipuri Sarala. 2026. Nomophobia and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21 scale) among health care students. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 16 (2), 105-112. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2026.v16.i2.7

Chicago Style

Suneethi, Gummireddy, Gorantla Shravya Keerthi, and Kunipuri Sarala. "Nomophobia and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21 scale) among health care students." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 16 (2026), 105-112. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2026.v16.i2.7

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Suneethi, G., Keerthi, . G. S. & Sarala, . K. (2026) Nomophobia and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21 scale) among health care students. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 16 (2), 105-112. doi:10.5455/NJPPP.2026.v16.i2.7

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